Tyrann Mathieu suggests he played too many positions for Cardinals

When Tyrann Mathieu played for the Arizona Cardinals, one of his greatest strengths was his versatility. His ability to play safety and then line up as a nickel corner was what made him special.

Now with the Houston Texans, he is focusing on only one position — safety — and now says he was not able to progress as a player because of his multiple roles on the Cardinals defense.

“This is why I chose to play for the Texans,” Mathieu said, according to ESPN’s Sara Barshop. “[In Arizona], I had a lot on my plate. I couldn’t really focus on really one position. I think a lot of times coaches may ask me to strictly rely on my instincts, but am I really getting better at football? I think those were questions I needed to answer, and I think Romeo answered those questions for me.

“I played four or five different positions, I had four or five different responsibilities and I never could really perfect one craft. I think right now, for me, it’s just committing to safety, playing safety the best way. From there, like I said, the game plan kind of dictates, too, where I’ll line up.”

The truth is, while he had multiple roles, he played mostly in the slot. And he did play safety for a while, namely, in 2016 when he was recovering from his second ACL tear. And if we recall, he did not like lining up as a free safety, 15 yards back from the line of scrimmage.

He clearly is making it sound like his situation is great and better than it was in Arizona, but based on his play last season, when it was apparent he had lost a step in coverage, the move to play only safety is more about what the Texans need and the fact that he probably isn’t the best option in the slot.

Maybe this time he will accept playing high in coverage and not feel like he isn’t part of the action or someone the team should listen to. But he did play safety for the Cardinals and he didn’t really like it.